‘Law does not protect us’: Hong Kong subdivided flat tenants call on authorities to plug loopholes in tenancy regulations to curb landlord exploitation
- Residents say they are still being overcharged for utilities and have ongoing conflicts with landlords over repair and maintenance issues
- ‘We are still charged way above the normal level for electricity and water,’ a homemaker with two children says
Tenants of subdivided flats in Hong Kong have urged authorities to plug loopholes in tenancy regulations by ramping up enforcement measures and increasing transparency of rental rates, saying that exploitation by landlords has continued despite the implementation of new rules two years ago.
At an annual forum devoted to poverty attended by lawmakers and more than 100 residents, those from underprivileged communities said they were being overcharged for utilities and facing conflicts with landlords over maintenance and repair issues.
“We are still charged way above the normal level for electricity and water,” a tenant of a subdivided flat in Kwai Chung who wished to be identified as Kayla told the event organised by an anti-poverty alliance, which was formed by 14 non-governmental organisations for subdivided flat tenants, women, homeless people and others.
The full-time homemaker with two children added that she hoped the government could provide a cash allowance to help improve living conditions, as well as offer services for minor repair work and provide furniture.
May Lam, an elderly woman living alone in a subdivided flat in Tsuen Wan, said existing regulations failed to ensure landlords covered maintenance and repair costs.
“The landlords can simply ignore and procrastinate, and tenants can’t do anything about it, but bear the costs on their own,” she said. “Otherwise, the only choice is to leave … the law can’t protect us at all.”
She added that the government should also cap the starting rent, instead of simply restricting rent increases.
